Promoting from Within: Changes Made to JASPER Production Leadership

Submitted by Jason Hulsman on Sat, 06/22/2013 - 18:11

Earlier this year Jasper Engines & Transmissions announced the following changes within the company’s leadership positions.

John Schroeder has been named Vice President of Drivetrain Manufacturing. John will coordinate the Transmission Divisions at Jasper and Crawford County, Indiana, and Willow Springs, Missouri, along with the Differential Division at the Jasper facility. He has served roles in the People Department (Human Resources), Division Manager of Crawford Transmission and the Jasper Production System (JPS) over his 12 years with JASPER. “I am thankful to have the opportunity to serve the JASPER family in this new role,” says Schroeder. “With a 70-year tradition as our foundation, we are committed to providing the highest-quality product and service to our customers, while improving the lives of our 1700 Associate Owners. I am honored to be a part of this mission.”

Joe Haug has been named Manager of the Transmission Division at the Crawford County facility. Joe spent many of his 33 years within the Transmission Division prior to becoming a Group Leader at Crawford many years ago.” I look forward to this challenge,” says Haug. “In my 33 years at JASPER, I have worked on each level, and it is rewarding to see our Associates grow into new positions as our company continues to grow in the industry.”

Mark Balsmeyer has been named Director of the Jasper Production System (JPS). JPS is a combination of JASPER’s workforce and the processes and systems that guide the company’s remanufacturing procedures. Mark will lead a workshop team in early 2013, along with coordinating future workshops and Continuous Improvement initiatives. During his nine years with JASPER, Mark started his career in Inside Sales, and later managed the Willow Springs and Crawford County Transmission Divisions. “I’m excited to be given this opportunity to apply the lean manufacturing tools that I have learned over the past few years,” said Balsmeyer. “I look forward to teaching these principles to our organization and continuing to build on our never-ending commitment to Continuous Improvement.”

“As JASPER continues to grow and diversify into other opportunities, we will continue to look for leaders with cross-functional experiences within our company to take on additional responsibilities,” says Zach Bawel, JASPER President and Chief Operating Officer. “These individuals have proven themselves within other roles with JASPER.”

With the above mentioned changes, JASPER Executive Vice President of Production, Mike Schwenk, will shift his focus to spend more time leading several support divisions within the company, including: Indiana Tool & Die, Jasper Certified Components, Jasper Electric Motors, our Service Department and others, along with leading JASPER’s Manufacturing Planning Group.